Talk about a blow to your self-esteem. The prophet Samuel showed up to Jesse's home to anoint the man who would be the next king of Israel since God had rejected disobedient Saul. Jesse paraded his seven oldest sons before Samuel, bursting with pride that one of the young men before him would be king. But as Samuel reviewed each one, the Lord told him no. "This is not the one." Finally, Samuel asked Jesse if this was all his sons and Jesse finally remembered little Davey out with the sheep. Can you imagine that? David was so insignificant that his own father did not consider him worth … [Read more...] about Seeking David: On Filling our Entity Leadership Positions
The SBC, Racial Reconciliation, and Rhetoric: An Appeal
I have been a fairly consistent and often annoying advocate for racial diversity and reconciliation in the SBC since the day I met Dwight McKissic. It was at the SBC Annual Meeting in Orlando in 2010, and Dwight walked up while I was talking to someone else. I'd heard him speak many years before and he had read some of my posts at sbcIMPACT, where I blogged at the time. Dwight offered a resolution or motion (he can probably remember the details, at my advanced age, I cannot) which failed and I sought him out. He pointed something out to me that day, something I simply hadn't noticed. He … [Read more...] about The SBC, Racial Reconciliation, and Rhetoric: An Appeal
New Accuser(s) Step Forward against Judge Pressler
The lawsuit against Judge Paul Pressler is convoluted and complicated - it is the most bizarre legal document one can read. But the poor quality of the filing doesn't decide the truth of the accusation. It will have to play out in a court of law. A friend made an interesting statement about this case when we were discussing it a few months ago. He said that if the accusations were true there would likely be many more such accusations come out. I don't know how many there will be, but one more has surfaced. An affidavit filed in New York County by a man named Toby Twining makes a clear … [Read more...] about New Accuser(s) Step Forward against Judge Pressler
Crushing the Serpent: A Good Friday Reflection
Ever wonder how long Adam and Eve were in the Garden before the Serpent showed up and everything went south? Was it on the eighth day, the 80th, the 800th? We’ll never know until we see Jesus, but we know they were living lives of blessing in a world of beauty beyond anything we can imagine. Their marriage was all God meant it to be - companionship and pleasure without any of the things that tear people apart today. There was no curse of sin – no allergies or sickness, no disasters or heartaches. No snow. Hallelujah – no snow. Most of all they enjoyed the presence of God, experiencing his … [Read more...] about Crushing the Serpent: A Good Friday Reflection
Tragic News concerning Frank Page
My heart is breaking from the news that has become public in the last few minutes that the retirement of my friend and one of my heroes in the ministry, Dr. Frank Page, is due to a "morally inappropriate relationship" according to a press release from the Executive Committee. I do not know the details, perhaps never will, and it doesn't matter. I hope and pray that Dr. Page finds full restoration and healing in his family and in his faith. While I am not likely to be someone he turns to in a time like this, I would still go anywhere and do anything I could to help this man whom I love and … [Read more...] about Tragic News concerning Frank Page
Frank Page Has Announced His Retirement
Word came across social media this morning that Dr. Page is retiring. No details have yet come down as to when it will be official. I love this man. He has been a peacemaker and truly embodied the role he carved out for himself, "Chief Encouragement Officer." I first met him the day he was elected as President of the Executive Committee. I was having lunch with David Rogers and a couple of others and we saw him at the same restaurant. I knew the EC was voting and, being the blustery big-mouth I am, I went over and congratulated him on his election. He smiled weakly and thanked me. I … [Read more...] about Frank Page Has Announced His Retirement
Guidelines for SBC Presidential Campaigning – Starting the Discussion
Is it okay for a candidate for president of the SBC to campaign for office? If so, what is allowed and what is not? Let's agree to something from the outset. We are Baptists, so autonomy is going to make it impossible to set universal rules. Each candidate, each entity, each entity head is going to have to set boundaries according to the dictates of conscience. But autonomy does not preclude us from attempting to establish some parameters and coming to some kind of agreement as to what is acceptable and what is not. There was a time, during the CR, when entity leaders of the SBC got … [Read more...] about Guidelines for SBC Presidential Campaigning – Starting the Discussion
Dr. David L. Allen’s “The Current SBC Calvinism Debate” – An Interaction
I hate hidden agendas - they are unworthy of God's people. Paul said, in 2 Corinthians 4:2 that he renounced secret and shameful ways. So, I want to come clean here and tell you exactly what I am doing. In the book, "Anyone Can Be Saved: A Defense of 'Traditional' Southern Baptist Soteriology" edited by David L. Allen, Eric Hankins, and Adam Harwood, Dr. Allen opens the discussion with an excellent essay entitled, "The Current SBC Calvinism Debate: Observations, Clarifications, and Suggestions." It is one of the best things I have read on the topic. What I'd like to do is simply copy it … [Read more...] about Dr. David L. Allen’s “The Current SBC Calvinism Debate” – An Interaction
Interacting with “Anyone Can Be Saved,” by David L Allen, Eric Hankins, and Adam Harwood (Part 1)
I was feeling small the other day, reading an exchange about brilliant scholars who read 5 or 10 books a week. None of them was me! I’m so far behind on my reading that it is a source of constant guilt. In May of 2013, my friend Mike Leake gave me a copy of his excellent book, “Torn to Heal” to review. It’s on my list. Trevin Wax, that same year, asked me to review “Clear Winter Nights.” I’ve read both and plan to publish the reviews before the books get remaindered. I’ve linked to and promoted Alan Cross’ excellent “When Heaven and Earth Collide” but never got around to the formal review. Odd … [Read more...] about Interacting with “Anyone Can Be Saved,” by David L Allen, Eric Hankins, and Adam Harwood (Part 1)
An Open Letter to the World: Robert Jeffress Does NOT Speak for ME!
I was a vocal NeverTrumper during the days leading up to the 2016 election. Since then, I have not spoken much about political issues, for several reasons. First of all, I am burned out on politics. Second, politics has become so divisive in churches and in the SBC that I have not felt that raising partisan issues was a wise use of my time. My feelings about President Donald Trump remain largely unaltered. He has done some good things in his administration - Justice Gorsuch is probably at the top of the list. But he has continued to be crass, belligerent, and to be embroiled in scandals. His … [Read more...] about An Open Letter to the World: Robert Jeffress Does NOT Speak for ME!